The National Vice President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Ebenezer Teye Amanor-Lartey has called on the John Mahama government to outlaw surface mining, warning that the practice is destroying forests, rivers, and communities at an alarming rate.
He says said surface mining – a key driver of illegal mining or galamsey – has devastated water bodies and farmland across the country.
The senior lecturer also maintains the government’s efforts to curb illegal mining have fallen short, describing them as “a show” that has failed to produce tangible results.
“In some countries, surface mining is banned because it destroys water bodies,” Amanor-Lartey told Gemma Appiah on The Forum on Asaase Radio on Saturday (11 October). “If you want to do proper mining, make serious investment. We should not be toying with this issue.”
“How many people have been arrested? How many are in jail? When taps run brown in Winneba, it tells us the situation is getting out of control…You see people by the roadside mining with impunity,” he said.
UTAG, which has been vocal on environmental issues, insists its position is nonpartisan.
“We are not quiet,” Amanor-Lartey said, responding to critics who accuse the group of political bias. “Our forests are being destroyed, and people are mining by the roadside. This is an emergency situation.”
Ghana, one of Africa’s top gold producers, has struggled to regulate small-scale mining. Surface mining – which removes topsoil and vegetation to access ore – has been blamed for widespread deforestation and contamination of major rivers, including the Pra, Offin, and Ankobra.
Amanor-Lartey said the government should revoke licenses of small-scale miners who flout environmental rules and pursue stricter sanctions against offenders.
“If the government is able to arrest a few people, it is a drop in the ocean. The major problems have to be tackled,” he said.
“The food we eat and the water we drink are now contaminated. We think there is more room for improvement, and banning surface mining will be a strong first step.”
Source: asaaseradio.com
